A major reason for the situation is the record rate of increase in the prices of pepper, which is leading to high prices of the seedlings.

Pepper farmers in Xuan Truong Commune of Xuan Loc District said hundreds of pepper trees had been cut down by thieves in the last few days.

The provincial authority has been investigating the cases.

The leader of district farmers' association said the cost of a pepper seedling was about VND20,000 to VND30,000 (US$10-15). So, pepper garden owners are on guard day and night to protect their property.

Growing a pepper plant takes a few years and hundreds of work hours, a pepper grower said.

The theft of the seedlings is causing huge losses to the farmers. — VNS